The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1887-04-19
TUESDAY. APRIL 70, $50.
A MANIFEST DESTINY ="
OPINION.


Under the heading, 'Letting Hawaii
Co" the San Francisco Bulletin reiter-
ates the familiar arguments against the
United States throwing away the inilu-
ence she has in these islands. II then
proceeds as follows, and its words are
significant as doubtless truly represent
ing one way in which the relations be-
tween America and Hawaii are re-
garded in the former country
1t is true that we are at peace with
ali the world. Further, it is our policy
to maintain these relations always. But
history is greatly at fault if trouble
does not come some time or another.
The Sandwich Islands we ought to
have as the forepost Of the Republic
in the Pacific, confronting all our pos
sible rivals. They are partly ours
now. Reciprocity is the price which
we pay for the ligature. But whatever
the price, it ought to be paid.
The emily point is that the connec-
ton ought to be made closer II we
allow them to slough off now they will
fall into the hands either Of the Eng
lish, the Germans or the Russians.
Canada, no doubt, is prepared to offer
better terms than we accord There
is a railroad through British G lumbia
to the Atlantic, and line Of steamers
from the western terminus is among
the probabilities Of the future. The
time has evidently come to strengthen
the connection between the United
States and the Sandwich Islands, and
not to weaken it. Under present con-
ditions none Of the European Powers
can Justly object, even if the ultimate
step Of annexation should be taken.
But il may not always be SO. That
view will not certainly be entertained if
we should cast them loose now. The
subject that is above considered is not
new one. But il has lost none OF its
force by age. The annexation Of the
Sandwich Islands was almost the first
idea that presented itself after the rails
ing Of the Stars and Stripes on these
shores. We looked out to sea and
deserted the important group which lay
before us, like sentlnels in the middle
Of the great Pacific.
Efforts have been made by the gov
ernment at various times to acquire
the islands. But dynastic and other
influences prevented success. 1t is
quite evident now that these influences
are fading away. Our policy, already,
has been too slow and procrastinating.
The islands Of late years have exhibit
ed tendencies that would be injurious,
il they remained unchecked, to our
future interests. Not long since they
appeared to be falling helplessly into
the hands Of the coolies of China. But
that danger has been warded off by a
timely putting down Of the bars. Their
recent growth has been on more legiti-
mate lines for US. One thing is certain,
and beyond dispute in this connection,
namely, that this is not the time to let
the Sandwich Islands "go." A policy
SO short-sighted, would bring down on
the men of to-day the maledictions Of
future generations There are some
fiscal question now pending, but they
are not beyond satisfactory adjustment
The malice and selfseeking that have
entered into the question, should not
be suffered to impede, divert or con
fuse national policy which no one,
who is capable of taking long view OF
the future, will undertake to belittle or
controyert.